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Our Favorite Holiday Potluck Recipes!

Traditions are such a big part of the holiday season and this year, we started a new tradition: The Jim Henson Company’s Thanksgiving Family Potluck. Employees brought in their favorite family dishes to celebrate the upcoming holiday season and our simple lunch hour quickly became a warm and memorable (and delicious!) event for everyone.

With an incredible potluck feast on our plates, we shared a moment of gratitude for the many good things in our lives.  As we went around the table, health and family topped many lists; and for a lot of us, working here at The Jim Henson Company alongside our excellent colleagues was a highlight of the past year.

And how about that food?!  We were all amazed by the incredible recipes that were expertly prepared. Here are some of our favorites!


Zucchini Bread

Helen from Legal & Business Affairs shared an incredible zucchini bread. Make it for your next potluck!


Mulled Cider

Amanda from Distribution brought an amazing mulled cider that gave the whole room a delicious smell. Her simple recipe includes: 
-1 gallon jug of Apple cider
-1 orange
-3 cinnamon sticks
-2 teaspoons of Vanilla extract
-10 cloves

Steps:
Poke the orange with cloves and combine all ingredients in a crock pot. Warm until it’s time to serve.


Butternut Squash Soup

Nicole in Marketing brought her family’s favorite butternut squash soup:
-2 butternut squash (medium size)
-1 sugar pumpkin
-Olive oil
-1 large onion, sliced thin
-5 large carrots, peeled and chopped
-8 cups low sodium vegetable broth
-1 tablespoon honey
-salt and pepper

Steps:
-Half the pumpkin and squash and carve out the seeds.  Brush cut sides with olive oil and stab multiple times with a fork.  Roast in oven at 400 degrees until very soft (about 50 minutes).  When they have cooled a bit, scoop out insides and set aside.

-Coat bottom of stock pot with olive oil and saute onion until translucent.  Add carrots and squash and cooked for 10 minutes.  Add broth and bring to a boil.  Cover and simmer until carrots are cooked (about 20 minutes).  Add honey.  Puree with a hand blender until very smooth.  Salt and pepper to taste.


Brownies

Sarah shared her popular brownies that were from SmittenKitchen.com


Yum Yum Salad

Taylor in Social Media shared her family’s “Yum Yum Salad” recipe:
serves 15-20
*cut in half if you only want for 6-8 people*

 2 cans (20 oz.) of Pineapple tidbits or crushed
  - drain and save juice
2  Envelopes of plain Knox Gelatin
  - dissolve in 1 cup pineapple juice
2 Cups Sugar
1 cup Pineapple Juice
1 package (8 oz) of Philadelphia Cream Cheese
2 Cool Whip containers (8 oz)
Maraschino cherries

Cook pineapple and sugar until sugar dissolved and mixture hot – 3-5 minutes
Add juice mixture and cream cheese.  Cook until dissolved completely
Cool.  Add Cool Whip.    Stir together thoroughly.

Pour into 8"x10" or 9"x11" pan and refrigerate overnight
Score top into squares and place cherry in center of each square.

No matter how you celebrate this holiday season, we wish you and your family peace and joy!